The Most Instagrammable Red Crabbing Spots in Washington

September 25, 2024

The Best Crabbing Spots in Washington State: Scenic Locations, WDFW Regulations, and Photography Tips

Washington State offers some of the finest recreational Dungeness crab fishing in the world. Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the coastal bays of the Olympic Peninsula all hold healthy Dungeness crab populations, and many of these locations are also among the most visually stunning crabbing spots on the West Coast. This guide covers five of the best locations — with specific WDFW regulation notes, practical crabbing advice, and photography tips for each — plus the important clarification that recreational king crab and snow crab fishing are not available in Washington waters.

Important regulation note: Washington Dungeness crab regulations are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and vary by area (Marine Area). Always verify current regulations at the WDFW website before your trip — seasons, size limits, and area closures change annually and sometimes mid-season.

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Washington Crabbing: What Species Are Available for Recreational Harvest?

Dungeness crab is the primary and most productive recreational crabbing species in Washington. It is found throughout Puget Sound, Hood Canal, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and coastal bays. The minimum legal size is 6.25 inches carapace width in most Washington Marine Areas (slightly larger than the 5.75-inch minimum in Oregon and California); only males may be kept; check WDFW for area-specific regulations.

King crab and snow crab: recreational king crab and snow crab fishing are not available in Washington waters. These are commercial species managed in Alaskan waters. If you want to enjoy king crab or snow crab, the most reliable path is purchasing from a trusted supplier like Global Seafoods.

Red rock crab (Cancer productus) is also available for recreational harvest in Washington; minimum size 5 inches carapace width; males only; no daily limit in most areas; red rock crab are smaller than Dungeness but have sweet, flavorful meat and are excellent eating.

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Washington Dungeness Crab Season Overview

Washington Dungeness crab seasons vary significantly by Marine Area: (1) Puget Sound (Marine Areas 7–13): Dungeness crab season is generally open year-round in most Puget Sound areas, with some area-specific closures; this is one of the most accessible recreational crab fisheries in the US; (2) Hood Canal (Marine Area 12): has had periodic closures due to low oxygen (hypoxia) events; check WDFW for current status before planning a trip; (3) Strait of Juan de Fuca (Marine Area 5–6): generally open with seasonal restrictions; (4) Coastal areas (Marine Areas 1–4): seasonal openings; check WDFW; (5) Domoic acid monitoring: Washington monitors crab viscera for domoic acid (a marine biotoxin); if levels are elevated, the season may be closed or a viscera consumption advisory issued; always discard the viscera (the yellow-green “crab butter” inside the body cavity) regardless of advisory status; the leg and body meat is safe even when viscera levels are elevated.

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Five Scenic Washington Crabbing Locations

1. Birch Bay — Northwest Washington (Marine Area 7)

Location: Whatcom County, near Blaine; approximately 20 miles south of the Canadian border
Species: Dungeness crab (primary); red rock crab
Access: Birch Bay State Park provides public beach access; crabbing from the beach or a small boat in the shallow bay; ring nets and crab pots both work well in the calm, shallow water (10–30 feet)
Best conditions: incoming tide; early morning or evening when crab are most active; the bay’s calm water makes it ideal for beginners
WDFW Marine Area: Marine Area 7 (Puget Sound); check current season dates and any area-specific closures at WDFW
Photography: Birch Bay faces west, making it ideal for sunset photography; the calm water reflects the sky and the distant San Juan Islands; the best shots are from the beach at low tide, with crab pots or ring nets visible in the foreground and the islands in the background; golden hour (30–60 minutes before sunset) produces the most dramatic light

2. Sequim Bay — Olympic Peninsula (Marine Area 6)

Location: Clallam County; approximately 70 miles west of Seattle via the Kingston ferry
Species: Dungeness crab (the bay is named after the town of Dungeness, where the species was first commercially harvested)
Access: Sequim Bay State Park has a boat launch and dock; John Wayne Marina in Sequim has public dock access; crabbing from the dock or by boat in 20–60 feet of water
Best conditions: the bay is protected from Pacific swells by the Dungeness Spit; calm water year-round; the sandy bottom is ideal Dungeness habitat
WDFW Marine Area: Marine Area 6 (Strait of Juan de Fuca); check current season dates at WDFW
Photography: Sequim Bay faces north toward the Strait of Juan de Fuca; the Olympic Mountains rise to the south; the best shots combine the dock or boat in the foreground with the mountains in the background; morning light (east-facing mountains catch the early sun) is ideal; the bay is in the “Olympic Rain Shadow” and receives significantly less rain than Seattle — approximately 16 inches per year vs. Seattle’s 38 inches — making it one of the sunniest spots on the Olympic Peninsula

3. Deception Pass — Whidbey Island (Marine Area 8)

Location: Island County; Deception Pass State Park; approximately 60 miles north of Seattle
Species: Dungeness crab; red rock crab
Access: Cornet Bay boat launch (inside the pass, on the calmer south side); crabbing by boat in the waters adjacent to the pass; the strong tidal currents in the pass itself make crabbing difficult — fish the edges of the current, not the main channel; shore crabbing from the park beaches
Best conditions: slack tide (the brief period of minimal current between tidal cycles); the tidal currents in Deception Pass can exceed 8 knots during peak flow; crabbing during peak current is not productive and can be dangerous for small boats; check a tide chart and plan to fish during the slack
WDFW Marine Area: Marine Area 8 (Deception Pass, Rosario Strait); check current season dates at WDFW
Photography: the Deception Pass Bridge (built 1935; 976 feet long; 182 feet above the water) is one of the most photographed structures in Washington; the best crabbing photography combines the bridge in the background with crabbing activity in the foreground; the bridge is best photographed from the water (by boat) or from the park trails on either side; morning light illuminates the east face of the bridge; the swirling tidal currents create dramatic water texture that photographs well with a slightly slower shutter speed

4. Westport — Southwest Washington (Marine Area 2)

Location: Grays Harbor County; approximately 100 miles southwest of Seattle
Species: Dungeness crab (coastal waters); the Westport area is one of the most productive Dungeness crab fishing areas on the Washington coast
Access: Westport Marina has multiple boat launches and charter services; the Westport Pier (also called the Westhaven State Park Pier) allows recreational crabbing; coastal crabbing from boats in 30–100 feet of water
Best conditions: the coastal waters off Westport are more exposed than Puget Sound; check weather and sea conditions before going out; the best crabbing is in the calmer waters inside Grays Harbor rather than the open ocean
WDFW Marine Area: Marine Area 2 (Grays Harbor); check current season dates at WDFW; coastal areas have different season dates than Puget Sound
Photography: Westport is a working fishing port with a large commercial fleet; the marina is filled with colorful commercial crabbing vessels, fishing boats, and charter boats; the best photography is at the marina at sunrise or sunset, when the boats are reflected in the calm harbor water; the Westport Lighthouse (built 1898; the tallest lighthouse in Washington at 107 feet) is a short walk from the marina and makes an excellent backdrop

5. Neah Bay — Northwest Tip of Washington (Marine Area 4)

Location: Clallam County; Makah Indian Reservation; the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States; approximately 120 miles west of Port Angeles
Species: Dungeness crab; red rock crab; the remote location and cold, nutrient-rich waters support excellent crab populations
Access: Neah Bay Marina has a boat launch; crabbing by boat in the protected waters of Neah Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca; a Makah Recreation Permit (separate from the WDFW license) is required to fish in Makah tribal waters; purchase at the Makah Tribal Center in Neah Bay
Important permit note: Neah Bay is within the Makah Indian Reservation; a Makah Recreation Permit is required in addition to your WDFW recreational fishing license; do not fish without both permits
Best conditions: Neah Bay is exposed to Pacific swells and can be rough; check weather and sea conditions carefully; the bay itself is protected but the surrounding waters can be challenging for small boats
WDFW Marine Area: Marine Area 4 (Strait of Juan de Fuca West); check current season dates at WDFW
Photography: Neah Bay is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Washington; the surrounding cliffs, dense old-growth forest, and crashing Pacific surf create a rugged, remote atmosphere; Cape Flattery (a 1.5-mile trail from the Neah Bay trailhead) is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US and offers dramatic views of sea stacks, caves, and the open Pacific; the best crabbing photography combines the rugged coastal scenery with crabbing activity; the remote location means less light pollution — the area is excellent for night photography and astrophotography

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Photography Tips for Washington Crabbing

• Golden hour: the 30–60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset produce the warmest, most flattering light; plan your crabbing around these windows for the best photos
• Overcast days: Washington’s frequent overcast skies produce soft, diffused light that is excellent for food photography (your catch) and detail shots (crab texture, gear); overcast light eliminates harsh shadows
• Action shots: the moment of hauling up a pot or ring net is the most dramatic; use burst mode on your camera or phone to capture the action; have a second person photograph while you haul
• Include scale: crabs are impressive but hard to judge in size without a reference; include a hand, a ruler, or a familiar object in the frame to convey the size of your catch
• Water reflections: calm water (early morning, protected bays) creates mirror-like reflections of the sky and surrounding landscape; position yourself to include the reflection in the foreground
• The catch shot: a freshly caught Dungeness crab held up against a scenic backdrop is the classic crabbing photo; hold the crab from the rear (thumb and fingers on either side of the back of the carapace, behind the last pair of walking legs) for safety; the crab’s orange-red color contrasts beautifully with blue water and green forest backgrounds

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🔗 Also see: Red Crabbing 101: The Complete Beginner’s Guide | Recreational Crabbing by Region: Dungeness, Blue Crab, and King Crab | 5 Red Crab Recipes: Crab Cakes, Garlic Butter, and More

🎥 Watch crab preparation videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel

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FAQs: Crabbing in Washington State

Do I need a Makah Recreation Permit to crab at Neah Bay, and where do I get one?

Neah Bay and the surrounding waters are within the Makah Indian Reservation: (1) Permit requirement: yes, a Makah Recreation Permit is required to fish (including crabbing) in Makah tribal waters, in addition to your Washington State WDFW recreational fishing license; (2) Where to purchase: the Makah Recreation Permit is available at the Makah Tribal Center in Neah Bay (1300 Bay View Ave, Neah Bay, WA 98357); it is also available at some local businesses in Neah Bay; it is not available online; purchase it when you arrive in Neah Bay before going out on the water; (3) Cost: the permit fee varies; check the current fee with the Makah Tribe before your trip; (4) What it covers: the Makah Recreation Permit covers fishing and crabbing in Makah tribal waters; it does not replace the WDFW license; you need both; (5) Enforcement: Makah tribal fisheries officers patrol the waters and check for permits; fishing without a Makah permit in tribal waters is a violation of tribal law; (6) The Makah Tribe and fishing rights: the Makah Tribe has treaty-reserved fishing rights in their usual and accustomed fishing areas; the Recreation Permit system allows non-tribal members to fish in these waters while respecting tribal sovereignty and contributing to tribal resource management.

What is the minimum legal size for Dungeness crab in Washington, and how does it differ from Oregon and California?

Washington Dungeness crab size requirements: (1) Washington: 6.25 inches carapace width in most Marine Areas (some areas may differ; check WDFW for your specific Marine Area); males only; (2) Oregon: 5.75 inches carapace width; males only; (3) California: 5.75 inches carapace width; males only; (4) Why Washington’s minimum is larger: Washington’s larger minimum size requirement is designed to ensure that male Dungeness crab have had at least one opportunity to mate before being harvested; Dungeness crab reach sexual maturity at approximately 4–5 inches; the 6.25-inch minimum ensures that most males have mated at least once; (5) How to measure: use a crab gauge; place across the widest part of the carapace (the top shell); if the carapace fits within the gauge, the crab is undersized; if wider than the gauge, it is legal; (6) Carry a gauge at all times: WDFW officers check catches regularly; having a gauge demonstrates that you are measuring your crabs; (7) Daily limit: the daily limit for Dungeness crab in Washington is typically 5 crab per person in most Marine Areas; check WDFW for area-specific limits.

What is the tidal current situation at Deception Pass, and is it safe to crab there in a small boat?

Deception Pass tidal currents and small boat safety: (1) Current speed: tidal currents in Deception Pass can exceed 8 knots (approximately 9 mph) during peak tidal flow; this is among the strongest tidal currents in Puget Sound; (2) Effect on crabbing: strong currents make it very difficult to keep crab pots in place and to haul them up; the current also makes navigation challenging for small boats; crabbing during peak current is not productive; (3) Slack tide: the brief period of minimal current between tidal cycles (typically 15–30 minutes) is the best time to crab at Deception Pass; check a tide chart (NOAA Tides and Currents, or the Tides Near Me app) for the specific slack tide times at Deception Pass; note that slack tide at Deception Pass may differ from slack tide at nearby reference stations; (4) Safe areas for small boats: Cornet Bay (on the south/inside of the pass) is protected from the main current and is a safer area for small boats; the waters immediately adjacent to the pass (but not in the main channel) are also more manageable; (5) Boat size recommendation: a boat of at least 14–16 feet with a reliable motor is recommended for crabbing near Deception Pass; kayaks and canoes are not appropriate for the main pass channel; (6) Weather: Deception Pass is exposed to north winds that can create choppy conditions even when the current is slack; check the NOAA marine forecast before going out; (7) The state park: Deception Pass State Park is the most visited state park in Washington; the park has boat launches, camping, and hiking trails; arrive early on weekends to secure a parking spot and boat launch access.

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